gregM Posted September 5, 2014 Posted September 5, 2014 Just arrived yesterday. A Wilkinson made 2nd pattern F-S knife with sheath. It's pretty well used and abused but it's a correct and the etchings are still readable.
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 6, 2014 Posted September 6, 2014 Greg - a very nice example - I don't see much wrong with it , mainly the wear you would expect. Give it a good clean and polish the leather. There were two patterns of the first Fairburn Sykes commando knife - both are quite rare. The 2nd. pattern is a little more plentiful, but in this condition, worth quite a lot of money. I hope you were able to buy it at a fair price. For the information of members who may not know the background to this famous knife - which is still made today - the British Forces - particularly the new Commando Units, were in need of a good fighting knife. Captains Fairburn and Sykes worked on such a design and it was approved by the War Office. Three companies made them - the Wilkinson Sword Company being one of them. They went out of business - I think in 2005 - and Britain no longer has a sword company of any size. Mervyn
Chris Boonzaier Posted September 7, 2014 Posted September 7, 2014 Optically one of the nicest knives around. I love them to bits. Practically about as useful as an empty box with holes in it. I had one on my web gear for a couple of days as a just out of basic traing soldier.... but a man can only stand so many sniggers and chuckles.... and when I realised others could open tins, but wood and "do stuff" with their knives... and I would have to wait 10 lifetimes or more to find the sentry i could kill with mine... it dissapeared back into the trunk... I guess it is best for what it was designed for... a WW2 commando. Having said that, a classic, and beautiful....
gregM Posted September 7, 2014 Author Posted September 7, 2014 Jerry and Chris, Thanks for the comments. I agree, these are pretty much useless today. They were designed to do only one thing and do it well. That is part of what appeals to me about them.
Chris Boonzaier Posted September 7, 2014 Posted September 7, 2014 Jerry and Chris, Thanks for the comments. I agree, these are pretty much useless today. They were designed to do only one thing and do it well. That is part of what appeals to me about them. I slit plenty of throats with my Randall Nr 1... of course... they were goats.... but an 8 Incah Randall Nr1 is gods gift to knives ;-)
gregM Posted September 7, 2014 Author Posted September 7, 2014 (edited) Randall's are great knives and a vintage Randall #1 is on my list to find but my tiny budget does not alloy that kind of indulgences. Edited September 7, 2014 by gregM
Chris Boonzaier Posted September 7, 2014 Posted September 7, 2014 Randall's are great knives and a vintage Randall #1 is on my list to find but my tiny budget does not alloy that kind of indulgences. Mine is a late 80s one... I remember at a show back in 1994, a Named Vietnam era Randall Nr 1 for CDN $ 200... I was broke and could not afford it.... I still regret that :-(
gregM Posted September 7, 2014 Author Posted September 7, 2014 $200 No days, you pay that just to hold one at a show. Most VN era or earlier blades I have seen, cost more than what I paid for my car. Granted, my car is a POS but stil, I've seen them regularly go for more than $3000.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now